’12 Years a Slave’ Nabs Top Prize at London Critics’ Circle Awards

Helming award goes to Alfonso Cuaron for 'Gravity'

LONDON — Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” took top prize Sunday at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, which started with a tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose death was announced earlier in the day.

“12 Years a Slave” also won kudos for actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and supporting actress (Lupita Nyong’o).

McQueen said that the critic who mattered the most to him was his mother, who had approved of the film. “There’s critics, there’s scholars, but then there’s your mum, so I’m very pleased about that,” he told the Daily Mail.

Alfonso Cuaron took the helming award for “Gravity,” which was also honored for its special effects, as Tim Webber received the technical achievement award.

The Coen Brothers were named best scriptwriters for “Inside Llewyn Davis.” The actress prize went to Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine,” and the supporting actor award was taken hostage by Barkhad Abdi for “Captain Phillips.”

Clio Barnard’s “The Selfish Giant” was named best British film, and the film’s Conner Chapman took the award for young British performer.